Tobacco Prevention News
As Halloween nears, costumes, decorations, and horror movies are sure to generate scares. Something else that can create a scare is the prevalence of youth using tobacco and nicotine products. Our young people are increasingly turning to new types of tobacco and nicotine products. Ninety percent of youth tobacco use initiation and addiction occur before the age of 18.
Nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause addiction, harm brain development and can lead to sustained tobacco product use.
Local tobacco education specialist A.J. Allen states that, “According to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 24 percent of Montana high school students reported using a vapor product within the last 30 days.” It is no wonder these products are attracting younger users. Many of these products feature flavors that are youth friendly such as candy, mint and fruit.
Allen added, “the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that 99 percent of Montana high school students that vape use a flavored product.” With over 15,000 flavors available, it is easy to see why youth are attracted to these products. When JUUL first became popular in 2019, nicotine levels in a JUUL were compared to having the same nicotine equivalent as one pack of cigarettes.
The nicotine amounts in today’s products can be equivalent to 30 packs of cigarettes. Also, three-fourths of U.S. students see e-cigarette advertising in stores, through newspapers and magazines, on television and in movies, or on social media which have all been shown to increase youth initiation of these products.
Free coaching is available to help adult tobacco users quit. Sign up through www. quitnowmontana.com or 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Teens also have the option to connect with the My Life, My Quit teen quit line at 1-855891-9989, by visiting www. mylifemyquit.com, or texting Start My Quit to 36072. Don’t be tricked by Big Tobacco! Contact the Montana Tobacco Quit Line or the My Life My Quit teen quit line to start your quit journey today!
